A.M.S.G – Anti-Cosmic Tyranny

The latest slice of sonic terror from Profound Lore comes in the form of A.M.S.G., a black metal horde from Alberta, Canada. A.M.S.G., or “Ad Majorem Satanae Gloriam“, Latin for “For the Greater Glory of Satan” is primarily the work of Angelfukk Witchhammer, who wrote “Anti-Cosmic Tyranny” while serving time in prison for possession of drugs and guns.

“Anti-Cosmic Tyranny” is firmly rooted in black metal with is swirling tremolo picked guitar work and trashing drums, but it is also has a progressive swing to it, with haunting saxophones and ambient breaks throughout. The music is harsh, very harsh at points. There’s a lot of distortion and overall the album is very chaotic. The vocals are primarily croaking screeches with some guttural growling, pain filled wails, distorted spoken word passages and occult chanting thrown at times.

I always say music should be challenging and this album is the definition of challenging music. In a time where black metal has become somewhat popular, with postings on mainstream sites like NPR and the hipster paradise that is Pitchfork, it’s nice to see a black metal outfit make music like this. Black metal was never meant to be popular. At its very core, black metal is anti-social, outsider music that should be relegated to the fringes of society. “Anti-Cosmic Tyranny” is nothing if not anti-social; it’s the type of album that is meant to drive listeners away. In fact, when I first listened to the album, I was immediately turned off by the vocals, the original, somewhat negative review I wrote focused on that. But as I’ve listened to the album over and over several times, it has really grown on me. The vocals actually work to make the album a much stronger, albeit more challenging record.

This is really an excellent album, one that most people will not be able to appreciate but for those willing to challenge themselves and are able proceed with an open mind will be rewarded.